Plane crash in 2000, not a technical fault

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The reason for the plane crash which killed 40(four Ukrainian crew and 36 Sri Lankan military personnel)on board in 2000 in Weerawewa in Anuradhapura was an LTTE missile strike,investigations conducted by the Terrorist Investigation Department(TID) revealed.

Until now it was believed that a technical fault had resulted in the plane crash,but,the 12 year old mystery was solved when TID arrested two ex LTTE cadres in Kilinochchi recently. When interrogated, the two suspects revealed that they attacked the Antonov 26 while hiding in Wilpattu Wildlife Park on March 30, 2000.

The TID has recovered two empty missile barrels that were used in the strike.

Earlier, it had been confirmed that the plane crashed due to engine failure as 10 minutes before the crash, the pilots had informed the Anuradhapura Air Force Base control room that the right engine had developed a problem.

The Antonov 26 had been chartered by the Sri Lanka Air Force from a Ukrainian company (Avialinii AAR) to transport troops between Colombo and Jaffna. At the time of the mishap, there were four Ukrainian crew members, including the pilots and 36 servicemen, all of whom died in the crash. The TID filed a case in the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The two suspects are to be produced in court on April 23. The TID is continuing further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Unit alerts the public that crimes are solved even years after they have been committed and no one can evade the law.